Help on cloning/getting data to external drive with failing HD

Hi, my internal drive is starting to fail. It still comes on and I can access the data but it won't work properly long enough for me to do a complete clone. After 45 minutes or so I'll start to get the spInning wheel, and some clicking from the HD. 45 minutes is nowhere near enough time to copy 900+ gigs. Is there any type Of workaround to get my data on an external hd? any tips/help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Get an extra HD and start by dragging large files (iPhoto Library for example) and Media Folders, iTunes Library etc to the HD. In other words move anything you can manually. After you have it moved and have checked that file is okay you can delete it, or better yet, simply exclude it from the clone or TM backup.